In a recent post on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump critiqued a Bud Light advertisement featuring Dylan Mulvaney, declaring it the “WORST AD in history.” He emphasized the severe financial repercussions of the ad, stating that it resulted in a $30 billion loss in market capitalization. Trump expressed uncertainty about the company’s ability to recover from this significant setback.
The Bud Light ad will go down as the WORST AD in history. In a matter of minutes, 30 Billion Dollars worth of Market Cap simply disappeared from the face of the earth. Will they ever get it back? Who knows, but what a mess!!!
Donald Trump Truth Social 11:46 PM EST 2/04/24
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) February 5, 2024
Evaluation of the Advertisement’s Impact: Trump asserts that the Bud Light ad will be remembered as the worst in advertising history, a subjective judgment reflecting his personal opinion on the advertisement’s quality and effectiveness.
Financial Consequences: The claim of a $30 billion loss in market cap is a significant one. This figure suggests a dramatic and immediate financial impact on the company behind Bud Light, likely Anheuser-Busch InBev. Such a loss, if accurate, would indicate a substantial negative reaction from investors or the market to the advertisement.
Uncertain Future for the Brand: Trump’s rhetorical question about the brand’s ability to recover implies a long-term negative impact from this single advertisement. This aspect of the statement suggests a belief in the lasting power of marketing efforts, whether positive or negative.
Reference to Dylan Mulvaney: Dylan Mulvaney’s involvement in the ad is highlighted, though Trump does not explicitly state how Mulvaney’s presence contributes to his assessment of the ad as the worst in history. Mulvaney, known for her social media presence and advocacy, may be a polarizing figure for some audiences, which Trump could be alluding to in his critique.
Bud Light is set to make a return to the Super Bowl in 2024 with a humorous advertisement featuring “fan-favorite characters.” The move aims to regain customers lost after a controversy involving a social media promotion featuring transgender TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney. The promo led to a significant boycott and a subsequent decline in sales for the Anheuser-Busch brand.
While the full Super Bowl ad has not been released, Bud Light teased a 12-second preview on YouTube, hinting at a celebrity appearance with a bearded football fan encountering a sunglass-wearing figure. The Super Bowl is scheduled for February 11 in Las Vegas.
For Bud Light, the Super Bowl ad is crucial as it tries to reclaim its position as America’s top-selling beer, a title lost to Modelo Especial last year. Anheuser-Busch’s U.S. division experienced a 13.5% decline in revenue in the most recent quarterly results, primarily attributed to decreased Bud Light sales.
Kyle Norrington, Chief Commercial Officer at Anheuser-Busch, emphasized the significance of the Super Bowl as advertising’s premier moment and expressed the company’s goal to captivate the audience during this high-profile event.
The Super Bowl, known for its massive viewership, attracts advertisers despite the hefty cost of a 30-second spot, reportedly $7 million this year. Successful Super Bowl ads can significantly impact a brand’s image and drive sales.
Bud Light’s 2023 Super Bowl ad, featuring actor Miles Teller, received positive ratings before the Dylan Mulvaney controversy. Following the controversy, the beer brand reverted to traditional male-focused concepts, including an ad with Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce.
